SKI SCENE

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 11, 14 August 1984, Page 4

SKI SCENE

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Following the rather unseasonal weather patterns Turoa got underway on Wednesday 18 July with skiing to the mid station on the Giant chairlift. Skiers began the season with clear skies, fine and mild weather — and fresh snow on groomed trails. There was not another significant snowfall until last week when both the mountain and the surrounding countryside experienced a sudden and severe snowstorm as a cold southerly front passed over the North Island. Preceded by thunder and lightning the storn deposited about 1 0cm of fresh snow on the Turoa Skifield on sunday 5 August and another 1 1cm of fresh snow on Monday 6 August. This provided a base of 76cm last Tuesday when the day dawned fine and clear kand the season really got underway with most facilities — Valley Rope Tow, Parklane Chairlift, Giant Chairlift, High Noon T-bar and Wintergarden Platter lifts — operating. The Jumbo T-bar was expected to be working by last weekend. The next few days were perfect, weatherwise, for skiing ... fresh snow, warm sun and clear, cloudless, sunny days with blue skies. More and more skiers

arrived in the Waimarino as reports of the favourable conditions on Turoa got around — for the first time since the 1982 season it was possible to ski the first chair even though it was only by way of the Sunset Ridge and Broadbent Flats trail. The Kassbohrer snow groomers (pictured) worked night.and day to move the snow around and optimise the ski trails and conditions all over the field. Operators are hoping that these conditions will last until the next snow-bearing southerlies arrive. Track Video Productions Friendly Australian Bill Adams has returned to Turoa again this season with

his family and assistants to operate the skiing video service on the mountain. With over thirteen years

work in television behind 1iim, "Video" Bill, as he is known locally, brings a cont'd opposite

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cont'd from opposite page wealth of experience and expertise to Turoa and has produced many fine quality videos on the skifield. Based on the mountain Bill provides a service to those skiers who wish to ~see themselves as others do, to identify faults and problems with their skiing and to have a record of a great day in the snow. Video has become a well proven medium for teaching, and learning alike, and has certainly become very prominent at ski shows and trade fairs. He can be contacted through the Turoa Skifield Information Centre. Mountain Transport The snow buses at Turoa are— running on a regular

schedule again this year. Leaving the Skifield Information Centre in Clyde Street, Ohakune, the bus can be flagged down outside the Ohakune Court Motel and the Turoa Court Motel, with a stop at the Junction before heading up the mountain. It returns via the same route. Midweek: Leaves Information Centre 9.00am and 10.30am. Leaves the mountain 2.30pm and 4.00pm. Weekends & School Holidays: Leaves Information Centre 9.00am, 9.30am, 10.30am and 12.30pm., Leaves the mountain 2.30pm and 4.00pm. From August 18 to September 16 an extra bus will leave the Junction at 9.00am and 11.00am.

WHAKAPAPA

The storm which passed through the area over the weekend 4/5 August deposited about eight centimetres of fresh snow around Iwikau Village La'st Monday a further three centimetres fell making a total of 11cm over the three days. The Bruce Road was closed during this period "mainly because of visibility problems."

Excellent skiing was enjoyed from Tuesday last with most of the facilities — — Te Heu Heu Valley Tbar, Waterfall Chairlift, Knoll Ridge, Cinder Track Platterlift, Hut Flat and Happy Valley Rope Tows were all 'very popular'. It was even possible to ski the Rock Garden..."provided it was on someone else's skis!" About 2,500-3,000 people used these facilities each day.